National Single Window 2 project decided soon

The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Philippine Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is expected to hand down a final decision this week on the eligibility of shortlisted bidders for the National Single Window (NSW) Phase II project.

A DBM source told PortCalls the BAC has denied the motion for reconsideration submitted by two joint ventures on account of deficient papers. The two are Webb Fontaine Group SZ-LLC and Omni Prime Marketing, Inc as well as V Center for Economic Policy Research Inc and V Crown Agents for Overseas Government and Administration.

It may be recalled that two weeks ago, the BAC already declared the two ineligible for the project, leading to their filing of motions of reconsideration.

“As expected, Webb Fontaine and its partner filed another protest (last) Thursday while the protest of the Center for Economic Policy Research Inc is expected today (last Friday, October 5),” the source who requested anonymity explained.

“If the BAC finds no merit in the protests filed, the committee will declare a failed bid and will need to restart the process again.”

If on the other hand an eligible bidder is found, the process will continue where it left off and allow for submission of a formal bid.

Bidding for the P442-million NSW 2 project is being accelerated so the country can meet the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Single Window (ASW) hookup deadline by 2015.

NSW 2 involves government-wide rationalization, standardization and harmonization of all trade data and enhancement of trade portals as well as the link of the NSW to the ASW.

With NSW 2 requiring a 36-month completion period and assuming the project starts immediately, the earliest the Philippines can hook up to ASW is 2016, a year later than required by Asean.

After deciding to skip the Senate race in May 2013, Customs commissioner Rozzano Rufino Biazon last week said the implementation of NSW 2 will be one of his priorities.